Thakran holds halfway lead in Coimbatore with Anand, Thanga

By Rahul Banerji

Manish Thakran’s feisty 6-under 66 propelled him into the halfway lead along with overnight toppers Aryan Roopa Anand (68) and N. Thangaraja (68) on 10-under 134 at the Coimbatore Open on Wednesday.

The Rs 1 crore event presented by KGiSL is being played at the Coimbatore Golf Club, the PGTI said.

Delhi-based Saptak Talwar, also an overnight leader, was fourth on 9-under 135. In all, 55 professionals made the 36-hole cut that came at 3-over 147.

Thakran (68-66), T5 overnight two off the lead, was off to a flier on Wednesday with five birdies on his opening nine holes. It was the result of some great wedge play with four shots landing within three feet of the flag.

The 27-year-old then had a mixed homeward nine as the wind picked up, collecting four birdies against three bogeys as he kept firing it in for tap-ins but also made a couple of three-putts.

Solid putting

Thakran, who turned pro in 2021, said, “The last two days I hit my wedges really close and my putting stood out as I was quite consistent on the greens.

“I’m quite excited to be playing in the leader group for the first time. Missed the first half of the season with a rib fracture. In fact, I couldn’t play any golf for three months due to my injury.

“When I began playing in June, I only played rounds and didn’t go to the range. That’s the routine I’ve always followed and I feel it helps me, playing on the course rather than spending time at the range.

“Coming back from injury, these first two rounds have been a huge morale-booster,” added Thakran, who plays at the Classic Golf Resort in Gurgaon.

Mixed bag

Rookie Aryan Roopa Anand (66-68) mixed six birdies with two bogeys to continue in the joint lead for the second day. Aryan made a chip-in on hole 13 and landed it within a foot on two occasions.

The 21-year-old later said, “I missed some of my tee shots but they were on the correct side. I played smart and was not overly optimistic.”

Sri Lanka’s Thangaraja (66-68) also stayed in the joint lead with an eagle on nine, four birdies and two bogeys.

The experienced Thangaraja began and ended his round with chip-ins, for birdie on 10 and eagle on nine.

Talwar shot a 69 on day two to drop down to fourth place while Delhi’s Harshjeet Singh Sethie (67) was a further stroke behind in fifth.

Round 2 leaders

134: Manish Thakran (68-66); Aryan Roopa Anand (66-68); N Thangaraja (66-68)

135: Saptak Talwar (66-69)

136: Harshjeet Singh Sethie (69-67)

Also read: Veteran, rookies in three-way tie for lead at Coimbatore Open